PITTSBURGH - With tornado season here, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter urges our community to be prepared for these storms and any disasters that could strike our region. The Red Cross encourages residents to learn about tornadoes and how to protect themselves and their families during all severe storms.

Tornadoes generally occur during spring and summer, and they are most common in the Midwest. However, regardless of the location or time of year, if conditions are right, a tornado can develop anytime, anywhere.

"Tornadoes usually develop from severe thunderstorms in warm, moist and unstable air conditions," said Michael Adametz, Director of Emergency Services of the local Red Cross. "Such thunderstorms tend to generate large hail and damaging winds. We at the Red Cross stress the importance of watching for severe weather signs, monitoring important weather messages and having a family disaster plan in case you need to take action."

Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes despite advance warning. Preparation can be the difference between life or death in any disastrous situation. The local Red Cross recommends that you take the following steps in order be prepared for tornadoes:

Prepare a Home Tornado Plan:

• Pick a place on the lowest floor of your home where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way such as a basement, center hallway, bathroom, or closet.

• If you are in a high-rise building and can not get to the lowest floor quickly, you should pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing:

• First aid kit and essential medications or special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

• Canned food and can opener.

• At least three gallons of water per person per day to last for three days.

• Protective clothing, bedding, or sleeping bags.

• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.

• Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if authorities advise you to do so.

Stay Tuned for Storm Warnings:

• Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.

• Know the definitions of a tornado WATCH and a tornado WARNING:

• A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area.

• A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area. Go to safety immediately.
  

The local Red Cross encourages area residents to become aware of potential dangers and make a "Promise to Prepare" for any disaster by taking these and other preparedness steps.  For more information on disaster preparedness or training, or to make your promise, call the local chapter at 888-217-9599 or visit swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH - Independence Day is one filled with festivities and fun, but it can also be potentially hazardous due to fireworks injuries.  The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter urges families to be safe this Fourth of July by enjoying public fireworks displays put on by professionals, rather than using dangerous consumer fireworks at home.

There are nearly 9,000 fireworks-associated injuries treated in emergency rooms every year, according to the U.S. Product and Safety Commission.

"Many people overlook the dangers involved with consumer fireworks," said Mike Adametz, Director of Emergency Services at the local Red Cross.  "The Red Cross advises enjoying public fireworks displays that are conducted under controlled settings; however, if families do choose to use consumer fireworks, it's important they use caution."

Individuals who choose to use consumer fireworks should keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Never give fireworks to children. Always follow instructions on the packaging.

• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

• Keep a bucket of water handy to properly douse used fireworks before disposal.

• Never throw or point a firework towards people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.

• Light only one firework at a time. Never try to relight a "dud."

• Make sure that the person lighting the fireworks always wears eye protection.

• Stay 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.

"Parents should talk to their children about fireworks safety and always supervise them around fireworks displays," said Adametz. "Injuries will occur less frequently if families are prepared."

Though the above guidelines can help prevent a potential emergency situation, it is important to know what to do if one does arise. By learning Red Cross CPR and first aid, all caregivers will have the necessary skills to save a life.  By being prepared and getting trained, the Fourth of July holiday weekend can be both a memorable and an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

For more information or to schedule a first aid or CPR class, contact the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter at 888-217-9599 or visit swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH -- The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will hold its 91st Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 26 at 6 p.m. at Chapter Headquarters, 225 Blvd. of the Allies in downtown Pittsburgh.

Joe Kennedy, the Chapter's Chairman of the Board, will conduct the meeting and introduce board officers for the coming year. Additionally, he will introduce Patricia Waldinger as the new CEO of the local Red Cross.

Also at the event, the chapter will honor Chelsea Dallatore, a 16-year-old lifeguard who saved the life of a drowning 5-year-old boy last month. Dallatore was trained as a lifeguard by the local Red Cross in April, then saved the drowning victim at Washington Park Pool on Memorial Day, just her second day on the job.

The chapter will also present awards to several outstanding volunteers, including Rookie of the Year Quinton Williams and Volunteer of the Year James Roberson.

For more information, call 412-263-3100.

PITTSBURGH - The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is deploying four additional volunteers to assist individuals and families affected by the devastating flooding that struck the Midwest.  The local Red Cross contacted its disaster volunteer base to update their availabilities in advance of more potential deployments.

Tom Palmquist of Bethel Park flew to Iowa as a national Red Cross disaster responder where his duties will center on kitchen and mobile feeding.

Judy Dulemba of Ross and Louis and Virginia Lantzy of Turtle Creek will work as national Red Cross responders in Indiana, where they will provide emotional support and expertise to families in need.

Disaster assignments are for 2-3 weeks.

When disasters (such as the Midwest flooding) occur and surpass the capabilities of the local affected Red Cross chapters, the national Red Cross disaster responder system is enacted and volunteers from all over the United States can be deployed to help.

Over the past week, almost 3,000 Red Cross workers have responded to tornados in Kansas and floods in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana and West Virginia. Thousands of people are staying in over 30 shelters and more than 300,000 meals and snacks have been served. It is anticipated that relief efforts will cost tens of millions of dollars.

If you are a trained Red Cross volunteer and wish to help with relief efforts, contact your local Red Cross chapter to update your availability.  To learn more about Red Cross training or becoming a volunteer, please visit swpa.redcross.org or call 888-217-9599.

Those with loved ones in the areas affected by the disaster are encouraged to visit the Red Cross Safe and Well site where residents of these devastated areas are encouraged to leave a message informing others of their safety.  For the latest information and to learn how you can help, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

WASHINGTON, Pa. - Children are the future - it's important that we help them get there safely.  The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will offer a pediatric first aid class at its Washington office (524 E. Maiden Street) on Tuesday, June 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost of the class is $45, but students can choose to extend the training to include infant/child CPR at a cost of $61.

The pediatric first aid class was developed by a team of pediatricians and meets the state requirements and Keystone Star standards for first aid for child care facilities.  Participants will learn the sequence of tasks for handling child care emergencies as well as learn skills to handle choking, obstructed airways, rescue breathing, minor cuts, bleeding, soft tissue injuries and a variety of other medical conditions that can occur with children.

Individuals who complete the class will be certified for three years.  Those individuals who choose to extend their training to include infant/child CPR will receive an additional one-year certification.

Registration for the class is required in advance.  If you wish to register or to learn more, please call 724-222-4750 or visit swpa.redcross.org.  

PITTSBURGH - Rick Elster, a volunteer with the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, has been deployed to West Virginia - a state currently ravaged by storms and flooding - where he is assisting with disaster assessment services.

Elster, an Elizabeth resident, deployed last Friday for what is expected to be a stint of at least two weeks.  He is working out of the Red Cross disaster headquarters in Morgantown, from where volunteers are monitoring the state-wide damage.

"Somebody has to help these people, which is why I volunteer," said Elster.

A retired sales manager, Elster first volunteered with the Red Cross in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  Since then, he has continued to volunteer with the organization, responding to local emergencies and deploying to national disasters. The West Virginia deployment is Elster's eighth national deployment.

The local Red Cross is looking for additional individuals interested in becoming disaster volunteers.  After completing the required training, Red Cross volunteers can perform a variety of disaster response functions both locally and nationally.

For more information call 412-263-3136 or visit swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH - Patricia M. Waldinger - who held numerous management and leadership positions during her 34-year career with Mellon Financial Corporation - has been hired as CEO of the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Region.

"We conducted a thorough search to find the ideal individual to lead our day-to-day-operations," said Joe Kennedy, Chairman of the Board of the local Red Cross.  "We feel we have found the perfect person for the job in Patricia Waldinger.  Not only does Patricia bring more than three decades of experience with a world-renowned financial institution to the Red Cross, she also has experience working with nonprofit and charitable organizations.  Patricia has displayed a commitment to the community, and she fully supports the mission of the Red Cross."

Waldinger, 57, worked with Mellon Financial Corporation from 1972 to 2006 where she held numerous managerial and executive positions.  Most recently she was a Chief Administrative Officer & Senior Vice President in the Global Institutional Clients Department.  Prior to that, Waldinger was Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President with Mellon Corporate Financing.  Waldinger also held various leadership positions in Mellon's Business Banking Division, Credit Policy Group, Credit Recovery Group and Retail Banking Division.

In addition to her vast experience in the financial industry, Waldinger has worked with various nonprofit and charitable organizations.  She was formerly a trustee of the Mellon Bank Foundation, a Mellon Bank Contributions Committee member and an advisor with United Way Business Development.  Additionally, she was a member of the Pittsburgh Technology Council Board of Directors and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Board of Trustees.

"I am honored to be selected as the new CEO of the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Region," said Waldinger.  "I was attracted to this position because I am a firm believer in everything that the Red Cross represents and all of the disaster response and preparedness work performed by our volunteers.  I am confident I can have a positive impact on the Red Cross and help it to continue to be very important part of our southwestern Pennsylvania community."

Waldinger replaces Tim Tassone, who was CEO of the local Red Cross for five years before stepping down in March to accept a position as President of Campos Market Research.  Charles McGivern of the American Red Cross national organization has been serving as Interim CEO. 

As CEO, Waldinger will manage the day-to-day operations of the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, which serves Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.  She will also oversee the operations of five regional community chapters in western Pennsylvania: Armstrong, Beaver-Lawrence, Butler County, Chestnut Ridge and Westmoreland County.

Among her first orders of business is the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter's Annual Meeting, slated for Thursday, June 26 at the local Red Cross headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh.

Waldinger was born in Ellwood City; she graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1968 and the University of Pittsburgh in 1972.  She currently lives in Nevillewood with her husband of 34 years, Dennis Waldinger; the couple has two children.

For more information on Waldinger or the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter's Annual Meeting, visit swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH - With summer just around the corner, pools are opening, beaches are getting crowded and children are excitedly readying themselves for summer activities such as biking, hiking and camping.  Summer is a time for relaxation and fun, but it can also create potentially hazardous situations.  The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter reminds families to take the proper seasonal safety precautions while engaging in summer fun.  Keep the following safety tips:

First Aid Kits

Having a first aid kit handy can be useful in any emergency situation.  These kits can be bought from the local Red Cross at swpa.redcross.org or you can assemble one on your own.  It is important to ensure that the contents are updated frequently.  First aid kits should be kept both in the home and in the car-an emergency situation can arise anywhere.  The kits can also be prepared with specific activities in mind, such as swimming, hiking or camping.  If you are making a kit, suggestions for items to put in a basic kit include:

• Blankets

• Cold pack

• Adhesive tape

• Band-aids

• Gauze pads

• Roller bandages

• Anesthetic ointment

• Emergency first aid guide

• Bug repellant/bug-bite ointment

• Tweezers

• Nonlatex gloves

• Personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers

Water Safety

Water-related activities are among the most popular during the hot summer season.  Children and their families can prepare for these activities- including snorkeling, swimming, SCUBA diving, surfing and tubing- by following some basic water-safety guidelines:

• Learn to swim (contact the local chapter for aquatics class information)

• Adults and children who are not strong swimmers should use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets

• Always keep basic lifesaving equipment nearby and know how to use it (this should include first aid kit, reaching pole and ring buoy)

• Swim in supervised areas only-make sure that children remain under supervision

• Watch out for the “dangerous too’s”- too tired, too much sun, too little hydration, too cold, too far from safety and too much strenuous activity

• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR

On Wheels

For outdoor fun such as biking, or any other activity on wheels, the following safety guidelines should be observed:

• Always wear a helmet and closed shoes

• Check that the bike has good brakes, a front light and effective reflectors

• Ride in safe areas at safe times

• Learn about bike safety and bicycle laws in your area

In the Sun

In the case of an activity that presents a situation of prolonged exposure to the sun or outdoors, such as camping or hiking, children and families should keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Apply sunscreen SPF 15 or higher

• Use bug repellant

• Wear light clothing, a hat and sunglasses

• Avoid overly-strenuous activity

• Avoid underbrush, fallen trees and tall grass

• Check yourself and children for ticks (remove promptly with fine-tipped tweezers)

• Shower immediately after returning indoors

• Try not to remain in direct sunlight for more than a few hours (take breaks)

• Drink plenty of water regularly

It is important that children are educated about seasonal safety guidelines for all the various summer activities in which they may engage.  While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is important that all caregivers learn Red Cross first aid and CPR in order to be prepared if an emergency situation should arise.

For more information on summer safety tips, to purchase a first aid kit or for first aid and CPR training schedules, please contact the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter at 888-217-9599 or visit swpa.redcross.org.

WASHINGTON, Pa. – Emergencies can happen at any time which is why learning lifesaving skills such as CPR and first aid is vital. Thanks to American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter Instructors, more than 47,500 individuals are equipped with such skills annually.  You too have the opportunity to teach these skills to others.

The local Red Cross will offer an Instructor Training Program June 23, 25 and 27 at its Washington location (524 E. Maiden St.).  The cost of the program is $225 per person.  The courses run from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day and students must attend all three days to be certified.

These “train-the-trainer” programs teach individuals to be instructors in CPR, automated external defibrillation (AED) and first aid basics.  Once certified, instructors can teach Red Cross health and safety programs and courses at their place of employment, in the community or at Red Cross offices across southwestern Pennsylvania; many businesses enjoy the benefits of having their own in-house Health and Safety Instructor.

“Many organizations have in-house Red Cross instructors,” said Phyllis Moore, Senior Customer Service Representative at the local Red Cross.  “The flexible format of the programs is tailored so the classes can fit into the work schedules of the students with little disruption of their business priorities.”

To sign up for Red Cross Instructor Training, contact the local Red Cross at 724-222-4750 or visit swpa.redcross.org.

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